I have come to the conclusion that I have lived in Springfield and worked in Eugene (aka Hippie capital of the world) for far too long... I think I am now a tree-hugger. Not in the literal, arms-wrapped-around-a-tree or protesting on the street sense, but a tree-hugger just the same.What I don't do:
1. Wear Birkenstocks.... I have never owned a pair.
2. Frequent the Saturday Market... I don't remember the last time I went.
3. Drive a hybrid... I'm quite happy with our SUV!
4. Put my hair in dreadlocks... stereotype, I know.
5. Buy organic or hemp clothing.
But still, the evidence is stacked against me.
1. I wear flip-flops nearly year-round. They never get "put away for the winter".
2. We have re-usable cloth grocery bags and I feel guilty if I forget them for those last-minute trips to the store.
3. I recycle like a crazy woman. Even when the cottage cheese or sour cream has long passed it's expiration date, I hold my nose, rinse out the container and recycle it anyway. Sean thinks I'm nuts for doing this and claims that in those cases it's "ok" to just throw it away. Um, yeah, he didn't grow up with my father... the origin of much of my recycling madness!
4. I take great pride in the recent Sanipac statistics showing how high above the national average Oregon and specifically Lane County is in recycling.
5. And finally, I am quite disturbed as I drive down Pioneer Parkway every morning on my way to work and see just how many of the trees they have cut down to make way for the new LTD bus route. I admit I was closer than I've ever been to wanting to join the protesters...
"Ride the bus... Kill a tree... Brought to you by LTD!" Kinda catchy, huh? But SO true! Pioneer Parkway used to be a beautiful, tree-lined street in Springfield. And not just with one, long, single row of trees, either. It's 2 one-way streets with a bike path down the middle and packed full of trees! And there were trees lining either side of the street as well. 
But alas, the new bus route is going right down the middle of Pioneer Parkway and thus the majority of those beautiful trees have already been chopped down to make way for the construction. :( I think I need a tissue (made only with recycled paper, of course)!
But alas, the new bus route is going right down the middle of Pioneer Parkway and thus the majority of those beautiful trees have already been chopped down to make way for the construction. :( I think I need a tissue (made only with recycled paper, of course)!
6 comments:
Dad here - glad to hear you are recycling. I was recycling before recycling was cool...use to have to take our recycable to the drop off center in JC! I too was sickened to see so many trees cut down along pioneer parkway. shezz and I think the total to remove is like 200+ I also can't believe the strange reactions people have when they learn I am a vegetarian. To me it is like not having a tomato or onion on your burger, I just choose to not to have the meat. Somehow I am now a birkenstock, tiedyed, unshaven, V.W. bus driving Eugeneian! *sigh*
I feel your pain Jenn-Jenn!
What are they doing to my town?! Just kidding, I love the bus routes! Too bad they have to cut down trees to make it happen though.
Welcome to the tree-hugging club! :)
I hate it when they cut down trees, it makes me really really sad actually.
It's a tough trade-off because public transportation can be great, but do they really have to get rid of all those trees? Way to be green Jenn!
Are you getting so excited to see Wicked?? We are excited to have Ethan come play and to see you guys! Do you guys have any preference for where you want to go to dinner? Have you guys ever been to CPK? They have one up here! But really, we are good with whatever
Well that just doesn't make sense, to destroy a bike path people use for a bus route. Doesn't LTD have enough routes? Why do they need to destroy a non poluting bike path? And I'm all over that recycling thing too, our landlords provide us with garbage and recycling containers and the recycling one is bigger than the garbage. I love it.
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